ANNVILLE – The Pennsylvania Veterans’ Memorial, located at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville, Lebanon County, is temporarily closed to the public for much needed structural repairs. The memorial, which was dedicated in 2001, is nationally recognized as the largest veteran’s memorial located in any of the national cemeteries. Renovations are expected to take until June 2023.
The memorial is made of concrete, granite, and stone. Its structure is generally in good condition, but in need of repairs and alterations to address areas of damage due to long-term exposure to the elements.
Funded by the state as a public improvement project, the renovations will cost $3.6 million. Specific repairs will include re-anchoring plaques, resetting existing pre-cast concrete, waterproofing walls, replacing flashing and upgrading drainage.
“The memorial is an incredible tribute to the more than one million men and women who died in service to our nation since World War II, and it is important to preserve its structural integrity so everyone can appreciate its beauty for years to come,” said Joel Mutschler, director, Bureau of Veterans Programs, Initiatives, Reintegration, and Outreach “We thank the public for their understanding and look forward to when the memorial reopens and is once again available for everyone to visit and pay homage to America’s heroes.”
An ideal way to pay tribute to those who have served our country, while also helping to preserve this iconic symbol, is to donate to the Pennsylvania Veterans’ Memorial Trust Fund.
Tax-deductible donations to the Pennsylvania Veterans’ Memorial Trust Fund can be made online at www.donate.dmva.pa.gov or by sending a check made payable to the “Pennsylvania Veterans’ Memorial Trust Fund” and mailed to: DMVA Office for Veterans Affairs, Bldg. 0-47, Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA 17003-5002. Donations can be made “In Honor Of,” “In Memory Of” or “On Behalf Of.”
One hundred percent of donations go toward the on-going upkeep such as landscaping, lighting, and fountains as well as needed maintenance for structural and cosmetic components throughout the memorial.
